Tim Duncan - 1997-98 Bowman;s Best #106 ROOKIE (Spurs)

1956 Topps were slightly larger (3-3/4" by 2 5/8") horizontal cards similar to 1955 Topps cards, some even sharing portraits with 1954 and 1955 Topps cards. Team cards & checklists appeared for the first time in 1956.

With Bowman gone, after missing the last 3 years, Mickey Mantle was back !!! A fun & simple set, 1956 Topps had no high numbers or expensive rookies but for serious 1956 collectors, there are over 200 variations. Most variations deal with card stock (gray or white back). For #101-180 gray appears to outnumber white about 9-to-1. Many team cards had 2 or 3 variations with team names Left, Center or Right.

There are 2 great cards: #31 Hank Aaron which actually pictures Willie Mays sliding home and #135 Mickey Mantle. Mantle shown leaping high into the stands robbing a home run ! Artist did a great job showing Mantle making the catch ! BUT ... Mantle looked great leaping but the ball flew over his glove.

The 1956 Topps Pins used same portrait photos as the cards.

Click for complete
1956 Topps Pins Checklist and Prices

In 1957 Topps created the modern day card by reducing the size of cards to current standard 2-1/2 x 3-1/2 inches. Topps also increased the set to 154 players and dramatically changed card format to a horizontal split-card. Player selection was awesome with (31) future Hall-of-Famers. 1957's top rookies were Bart Starr, Johnny Unitas & Paul Hornung. The only variation is card #58 Willard Sherman.

1977 Topps Cloth Stickers
Checklist & Values

As 1977 baseball season was winding down, Topps wanted to sell more cards and released the "1977 Topps Cloth Stickers" test issue. The 1977 Topps Cloth Stickers set came in at (73) total cards: (55) cloth stickers and (18) checklist/puzzle cards that formed large photos of the 1976 AL & NL All-Star teams.

2 Stickers and 1 checklist/puzzle card were in each .15 cent pack with 36/packs in a box.

Nearly all fronts are same as the regular issue - with a few different like Nolan Ryan.
LEFT: Regular issue;
CENTER: Cloth Sticker;
RIGHT: O-Pee-Chee (from Canada).

The 2-1/2" x 3" stickers had highlights & instructions on back. The backing was easily removed and kids could stick them everywhere ! TEACHERS LOVED THEM !!!

Packed with Hall-of-Famers (19 of 55) plus Pete Rose and Mark Fidrych. In addition, stickers & puzzle pieces came with one '*' or two '**' asterisks on back.